Chapter Text
THE SECOND WEEK
It was easy. Going back to his old role, putting on the mask of the cold elder vampire — the terrifying demon incarnation of Oakhurst. A haunting manipulative creature, the undead that can't care — that doesn't understand human emotions.
That never felt those emotions.
He has to, in order to succeed he must think like he once did. These people don't deserve his sympathy anyways.
He was always good at adapting in new environments, a social chameleon all the way through. He did not put on a role during his first stay at Oakhurst, there was no use in blending in with the humans.
But now he had to, he had to seem as innocent as possible so that nobody could suspect him. It was all so that he could successfully go on with his plan without anyone causing him trouble.
And he has always been good at it, be a little nicer, a better person with a kind face and fun personality — it was why Shelby has been so well received. But the first thing to always make sure of was that he cannot be too good, too flawless and he would risk being suspicious. He has to have some faults, insecurities people can take advantage of, morals that he lost long ago, humanity that he should have.
And only a monster could do succeed in pretending to be innocent, only a wolf could pretend to a be a sheep it never was.
He already had the perfect mask for such a situation.
But there was quite a big problem, a problem he did not expect to have. First of all, that thing never told him the help he would receive was the girls coming back with him.
Which was helpful, but for once he wished they just listened. It was alright when they were not in danger and inside Oakhurst, but now they were back it was getting frustrating that they became so comfortable with not following him, in disobeying and questioning his words.
He never thought a day would come where he was annoyed with Shelby but here they are, back at it again. He did not want an obedient coven — he learned his lesson with Avid's death — betrayal often hurts more when you thought you had pure control, and a coven that can think and decide for themselves were much more loyal.
Thinking they have any agency often brought better results.
But this was getting ridiculous, too much. It was not as obvious as it was in the past timeline but this was just–
"Scott, for once just listen to me. You can't avoid him forever, you should talk to him.." Shelby sighed and shook her head, her eyes glaring at him intensely. The red tint covering their eyes were not there yet, going back in time meant starting from the beginning.
Vampirism was the same thing, finding the girls at first brought out... uncomfortable pain in his chest, especially once he realized their bond was no longer there.
The pain was worse for the two of them, they had been used to the undead life of a vampire that returning back as a human had been a shock to their systems. Shelby had decided to ignore it, letting the pain fester deep below her. While Drift coped by still living like she was part of the undead, often sitting or walking around the shade or refusing to eat garlic or stepping foot near a mirror–
Just the basics.
Scott did not like thinking of the fact they both had returned back to being a human, he did not like the thought of returning back to the weakness of a human body.
He would have turned the girls by then if only it would not bring attention to a certain vampire, one he'd rather not think about for now. He'll deal with him in due time.
"I already did, plus he's pretty much isolated himself with that girl." Scott rolled his eyes, this exact conversation happened so many times the past week — at some point it became tiring and irritating.
"You talked to him a week ago, and they haven't isolated? Me and Drift were out exploring with them yesterday, you're just making excuses." Shelby took her gloves off, the blood staining their wooden table. They should be glad it was not mahogany or Scott would have blown up by now.
Scott eyed the bottled blood Shelby had been preparing, they knew the future so why not prepare ahead of time? Blood was such a hassle to find back then, especially when the townsfolk massacred all the animals.
Shelby sat down and faced Scott head on, "We're already in this since you stupidly–"
"–it was necessary–!"
"–activated the beacons that trapped us!"
Scott leaned back, his chair aching from distress. Hah, it was exhausting to hear the same scolding again and again, especially when it was the only thing Shelby could talk about for the entire week.
It had to be done, he cannot tell her why he needed to do it which was unfortunate but he was glad for the restrictions. Who knows what else she might have hit him with if he told them what he promised. With how vague the condition was they might have thought Scott permanently died and some changeling replaced their level-headed sire.
Even he does not know why he accepted it, on why he nodded and agreed. It was suspicious and everything about it should not be trusted.
And yet he was back, they are all back. Avid is back.
"Y'know Shelby, it was necessary."
"Yet you never tell us why." Shelby sighed and stood up.
"I'm going out with Elle today, I think it would be nice to hang out with someone Avid has told us but we never got the chance to meet." She looked at Scott with a hopeful expression, it was easy to see they were offering an olive branch.
Scott hummed and waved her off, "Be safe."
Shelby sighed and walked away, he knew they would be alright. They were not stupid, even if something bad happens she would be able to protect herself. The body might change but their minds stayed the same, and Shelby was a fighter.
And they would also be with Elle, Scott could recognize an actual hunter when he saw one — it was why Avid had been so laughable — and despite not knowing much about her he could tell she was strong and held a sense of justice. She would protect the girls if something does happen.
Scott smiled, his mind straying to the fact Avid would also be with them.
All three of them, back together like they always were. His Avid, Shelby and Drift.
There were still a lot of questions in his mind, namely why the hell was Elle alive in the first place. He had been confused why a random girl appeared with Avid but after talking with Shelby and Drift they confirmed she was Avid's old partner, as well as the supposed dead sister.
But he figured she was the great help that thing told him about. Although he was confused considering even the girls were back with him, incredibly suspicious and something he could do nothing about. How frustrating.
He closed his eyes and thought about his next move.
They were trapped in the town, nobody can get out. He had all the time in the world to both repay the creature and save Avid. Shelby and Drift would want the same thing, and they were far from the inexperienced humans back in the past timeline, the both of them can handle themselves.
They would need to be low profile, everyone was far more relaxed this time around than in the past, especially since Avid kept his mouth shut. It was probably because his sister was alive, a fact he was both confused and thankful for.
A great help sounded like one thing but that creature was giving him a lot of it, far more benevolent than he expected. Scott knows the maximum of what it needs despite the details being vague so there was a seedling of suspicion in him for this kindness.
Nothing in life is free after all, every action has a cost and price. Consequences he forgot after winning for so long and only remembered once Avid had died.
Scott opened his eyes, he never paid attention to the tomes at the start. Underestimating humans and their capabilities to be annoying pests, but now he knows better. How could he forget how much of a pain humans were?
He would just need to hide those little books that gave humans a chance. That would be fun to watch them squirm like the pathetic fools that they are knowing there is nothing in this world that can help them.
.
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.
.
Scott winced as the trees caught his hand, blood trickling out slowly. He brought it to his lips and licked the blood away.
The forest was dry and brittle, pale oak and dark leaves surrounded him, he decided to start at the outskirts of Oakhurst before slowly inching towards the nearest tomb. Despite two hundred years of not exploring these woods, Scott still knew it like the back of his hand.
Should he turn the beacons while he was at it..?
No, that wouldn't be entertaining. And the humans had a higher chance of figuring out the mechanics of the beacons if a new contender made their appearance — specifically the red light and dark feeling that the beacon would give.
And Drift might actually go on with her threat of hanging him once she found out he was messing things up again, even if they were inevitable events.
Pyro was also a difficult one, the human was smart enough to recognize and realize what the beacons did. There was also Abolish who was intelligent and had information to figure out what needed to be done.
Then there was Cleo and Pearl, especially Cleo who had information from their past. The little things he came to know from the bits and pieces he heard over the years they were forced to spend together — as well as the information he learned during the past timeline of Oakhurst — became helpful to plan around them and what he thinks they would do.
It would be great if he could get their trust early on, but in doing so he needed to be truthful with them. Scott sighed and decided to talk about it with Shelby and Drift, those two became closer to Cleo in the past timeline after everything happened.
Pearl on the other hand was also a great asset, she was not a bad companion and had values Scott could easily respect. Over the years of visiting Avid's grave meant being forced to interact with the two remaining guardians of Oakhurst, and they were not as bad as he wished they had been — if they were awful then perhaps Scott would feel less indebted to leave the two alive and give them the same ending as they had in the past timeline.
He did not want them dead.
In his old clothes and old face, it felt weird to think of something like that.
Perhaps the mask he tried to put on isn't as easy as he tried to make it sound, he's not himself anymore. Two hundred years might not sound long for a vampire that lived for a thousand but it doesn't get rid of the fact that he was once a human who felt the ticking of time. Time he thought he had eternity of.
Legundo was easy, at this point of time the doctor does not have any inkling to the supernatural. The same could be said for Apo. The two discouraged it and often thought of everyone as insane.
Avid's sister.. the monster hunter would definitely know, or maybe she would not. He did not know much about her, she was a wild card that Scott did not like. Especially when she was currently the closest to Avid.
He was honestly glad Avid's paranoia went to what the beacons did instead of vampires, he had been the first to figure things out after all. At first all he had was a simple hunch that just so happened to be the truth, he had been infuriating and awfully adorable, a buzzing bee that always knew more than he should — the boy who cried wolf.
Avid...
The reason he was doing all of this in the first place.
Scott shook his head, he could think about Avid later on. He had a task to fulfill and a plan to be done, once he succeeds Avid would be safe and back in his arms.
Back in his arms, where he should have never left in the first place. He clenched his fists, Avid was alive and well. He will be for a long time, Scott just needs to succeed.
He scoffed, jumping to the waters below the tomb, he grumbled in annoyance at the hassle. But it needed to be done, and so he would.
He walked towards the chest and grabbed the single book inside, to think this had been responsible for giving the humans a fighting chance was laughable. A book with only a single page written on what it did, spells and abilities that would come to you easily once you read the instructions.
A cheat sheet, incredibly unfair.
The vampires gave up their abilities to breathe and stand in the light, and it gave them unparalleled power and immortality. A fair exchange if you ask Scott, and very very worth it.
But for some reason there are just tombs they can barge in and take the tomes that would give them abilities for no reason?
Maybe it had been the witches who once sealed Scott who did this, they would not want any chances of him getting out and scattering support spells that could give ordinary humans a chance to defeat him seems like something they would do. Maybe it was the townsfolk who escaped the slaughters, despite the massacres him and Owen had done there was no guarantee they got everyone.
Ha, well look at them. Probably dead while he still stands with his head high, and this was going to be the second time he succeeded.
He opened the book to see which one he got and almost dropped it in surprise, did lady luck finally come around and decided to bless him again?
"How lucky.." Scott huffed in amusement.
He traced the words of the book, the same one that had been the bane of his coven's existence back then. Martyn's ability.
The holy word spell that idiot used constantly, one of the more useful abilities that could be found and a constant annoyance for his coven. It had been one of the main reasons why some of the townsfolk became suspicious of the other supernaturals hidden behind a thin layer of truth.
Scott tucked it in his coat and lunged out, he shook the remaining water from his legs. He was glad Drift had thought ahead and built a bath in their temporary abode, their true house would be nothing less than his castle.
After everything they can leave and find their home again.
Walking through the clearing left much to be desired, he took shade under the trees as much as he could. The sun did not burn, yet.
Going up another tier would be dangerous, Abolish and Cleo would certainly know what he is. Perhaps Avid's sister would as well, if she was as competent as the stories that Shelby and Drift told him, stories that Avid had once told them.
Stories that Avid never got to tell him.
Scott hummed while walking around the place, he enjoyed the way nobody was screaming in the distance about killing him or something.
The next tomb should be–
Something then caught his eye, a familiar group gathered around at the base of the beacon. Shelby, Drift, Elle and Avid..
And Pyro.
Scott narrowed his eyes in contempt, what was he doing with them? Why was Shelby and Drift even interacting with that traitor?
Pyro was still as pathetic as he had been, so easy to manipulate, so easy to influence on activating the town beacon. Just the few right words and he was eating from Scott's hand, perhaps that was why he so easily gave his undead life to Owen's cause.
Scott could taste the bitterness in his throat, just thinking about how that fledgling ruined everything was enough to make him sick.
"Hey everyone." He spoke out, loudly enough for the others to hear while he was still far from them. It would help solidify his standing with Avid's sister, despite not knowing her full capabilities he knew any hunter would be suspicious of someone they could not sense.
"Scott?" Shelby was the first to question his appearance, her head tilted with a frown on her face.
Drift raised an eyebrow at his appearance, a question clear on her face only those who have been with her for two hundred years would understand.
"Scott! It's so nice to see you, we found out more about the beacons. Turns out standing next to them can give regenerative abilities! Ah, it's really great we have these things. God knows what I would write if we didn't have these, maybe the myths?" Pyro was more talkative than Scott remembered, and the fledgling of the past made Scott's head ring with how long his monologue about his bragging of Avid's death.
"Mn, that's nice. The myths are certainly interesting but I don't think your professors would like to see baseless fairy tales." He smiled, hiding the irritated flare of emotions in his heart.
"Ah, you're right."
Drift's eyebrow raised higher, or perhaps it was just his mind playing tricks on him. He could feel Shelby's questioning eyes, their gaze piercing through him.
"I thought you were occupied lazing around back at our house to come with us?" Shelby asked him, almost sarcastically. Was she that upset he did not join them? Meeting them here was a coincidence, he just greeted them to avoid suspicions if anyone but Shelby and Drift saw him.
Scott looked at Pyro and Elle, their shoulders drawn tightly. Anyone could feel the tension rising in the air, Pyro had trust in him. Elle doesn't.
Damn it.
"Eh, seeing the same old corners of our house for a while is enough to drive anyone insane. Thought I'd get some fresh air."
Shelby just sighed and chuckled, her laugh obviously fake. Scott would sigh in relief if he could, he was glad she felt the other's rising concerns.
"Scott, right? I don't think we formally met before, I've heard a lot about you from Shelby and Drift." Elle said, her voice even.
Composed.
Scott saved that information for later, to have someone who had a good head on their shoulders as well as currently being unpredictable was dangerous.
She was right though, they had not met before. Scott turned towards her, his eyes accidentally glancing towards someone he tried desperately not to look at.
Or else–
Avid. Avid with his shaking hands and flickering eyes, his forehead creased with lines, tight from his anxieties. Magenta eyes, so uncommon and unique, eyes that could draw anyone in. His hair was messy, he did not look like he was taking care of himself. His eyelids were weary, tired, he looked like he was going to fall any minute.
Avid, breathing and alive. Back again. He was really back.
Avid.
Scott blinked, a single second felt like an eternity.
He nodded politely at Elle. "Yeah, that's me. Hope you've heard only of good things.."
"Unfortunately not." Avid muttered, no matter how quiet he tried to be everybody still heard him. Their heads turning at record speed. Pyro bit his lip, his eyes shaped like crescents.
Shelby sighed yet her eyes felt calmer, a certain fondness deep within her gaze. Drift laughed, the first time he heard her since they all came back. Elle's face fell, she flicked her brother's head with a noise of disapproval.
"What's with you today?"
Scott turned back to look at Avid, his face flushed with embarrassment. His cheeks were rosy red, just like when–
"I didn't mean– just– I mean Shelby and Drift were complaining–" Avid waved his hand around, stuttering out anything.
Shelby and Drift were looking at him with amusement, "Scott was being annoying." Drift announced with a grin. Scott looked at her with faux betrayal, "How could you, Drift?"
Huh, when they first met Avid had been far more eloquent. Now he just looks like he was about to explode any minute.
Scott smirked, seeing the opportunity to do–
"Cat got your tongue?" Scott leaned into his space, the look on Avid's face was worth it. Ah, to not even do anything and still have that same adoration. His undead heart raced at the thought.
Avid looked at him, his eyes for Scott only. And yet he looked away,
"Oh, Avid–" Avid froze, so subtle it raised Scott's confusion, Avid did that a lot every since the first time they met in this timeline, "–relax a bit, would you? You're acting as if we haven't met each other."
Avid narrowed his eyes, "As if that first meeting was any good.." The hunter muttered, Scott felt a bit of something in his chest. He gulped hoping it would go away on its own, he never felt this in the first timeline..
What could it be?
He decided to ignore it and focus on his conversation with Avid, putting on his mask of hurt as he dramatically sighed.
"Did our night together mean so little to you?"
Avid froze, he was looking at Scott with a slightly confused expression. The elder vampire merely tilted his head.
"Why are you–"
"What?!" Avid's sister shouted, she looked bewildered and was eyeing her brother with confusion. Avid's face lit up in flames, he grabbed her hand and started explaining hastily. He sneaked in a few glares at Scott but each time his face turned more red.
Scott chuckled and turned towards their other audience. Elle was composed, but she was not when it came towards Avid.
It was a nice piece of information he will keep in mind.
"Scott.." Drift sighed tiredly, as if she was already expecting this long ago. To Scott's surprise Shelby and Pyro were not with her anymore.
"Where's the other two?" He cannot help the suspicion that creeped up in his voice, the thought of those two together brought indescribable feelings within him.
He remembered his threat towards Pyro in the past timeline, all those years ago..
"Now you're the one who should be relaxing, they're just with Pyro–"
Not our Pyro, was what her eyes conveyed. Scott still cannot help the acidic taste in his throat.
"–and the two of them are by the beacon, Pyro wanted to examine it more and Shelby was worried it had negative effects–" Like accidentally activating another beacon. "–so she's there to monitor him."
"Actually all of us are..." Drift trailed off at the end, she was staring at him. Examining his expressions for a hint of something.
He does not give her that.
Scott would have to seriously talk with his fledglings later on...
"I see... well you guys can go on your way, I'm heading back to our house."
Drift looked at him with confusion, "You're not coming with us?"
Scott scoffed and pointed at his clothes, Drift promptly shut her mouth at that.
"You know at some point I started questioning all of your situational awareness cause none of you questioned why I have wet clothes but I just assumed none of you cared enough because the other option is just..." Scott sighed before shaking his head, "I'll leave you all to it."
"Wait, wait!" Scott jumped at the sudden hand on his wrist, he flinched once he saw who exactly it was. Avid was holding onto him, the other was close and had a confused look on his face.
"Why are you.. y'know" Avid gestured to his clothes, his eyes focused on Scott's clothes.
What was up with this guy?
Scott has never felt as bewildered in his life, not even with the past timeline Avid even though they were the exact same person.
"Oh, I was searching in the tombs and found this nifty little thing–" Scott grinned and showed his book, Avid's eyes widened in surprise. They looked like they were about to bulge out of their sockets, he took a deep breath in and was visibly shaking..
Avid always had the charm of an insane man, it was why Scott found himself liking the guy's company.
"–it says it gives you the ability to see in the dark and with the beacons and all that I thought it might have some truth sprinkled into it." Scott did not have the ability to use the tomes, but he did have the ability to see in the dark which was one of the many spells you could get.
And he would rather not reveal the truth of what the book actually does.
Avid visibly relaxed but was still staring at the time with laser-focus to the point Scott feared it would erupt into flames.
"Ohh, okayyy. That's great.." Avid forced a laugh, it was so obvious Scott was starting to get a bit worried.
Why.. why was Avid acting so weird..?
"Mhm.." Scott tugged on the arm Avid was still holding, the man was woken up from his thoughts and was now staring at Scott's eyes.
It felt right to finally gain that gaze, but unfortunately Scott needed to go.
"Are you going to let me go now or do you find holding my hand to be nice?" Scott teased and enjoyed the way Avid's face erupted into flames once again.
"Okay! Do what you do! Bye Scott!" Avid threw his hand back to him, making him gasp in surprise. The hunter then ran next to his sister with his face hidden from Scott's view.
Scot huffed in delight and slowly walked away.
.
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Scott took the book out of his coat, the tome was still dry despite being kept inside his coat for so long. It looked like a magical barrier had kept it from getting wet.
He had already put on a new set of clothes, just some things he prepared ahead of time. Scott planned to stay in town longer, therefore he took some of his wardrobe from his manor.
He scanned the room, tapping the book on his hand rhythmically. He needed a good hiding spot for it, and behind the bed seemed like the perfect place. The wall behind it was broken, the foundation of the house was not exactly in great condition. They planned to fix it but just decided to place a bed there and call it a day.
Scott walked towards the bed and pushed it a bit, the crack was visible and he just threw it in there. He fixed the bed and it looked as if nothing was wrong.
He had planned to take all the tomes but the group distracted him, he was sure Shelby and Drift would distract the others away from the tomes. The problem was everyone else.
Scott sighed and decided to put it off for another day, just then he heard the door open as well as a pair of footsteps from below.
Shelby and Drift were back.
Scott walked down the stairs and greeted the two, they both looked down. He stared at them, confused.
"What happened?" Scott asked, although the word asked was not the correct term. Not when it was more like a command.
Drift looked at Shelby and then Scott, she sighed and shook her head. "Can we talk to you? Like.. actually have a proper conversation?"
Scott arched an eyebrow, he stared at the two with barely hidden apprehension. He was starting to get annoyed, were they about to scold him once again?
He sighed and nodded, "That would be lovely, I have some things–"
He sat down on one of their chairs, he pointed to the other two chairs as an invitation. The trap was set, and he already knew they would fall for it.
He wonders if they set their own traps for him. He would not mind–
"–I also want to talk to you about."
Shelby narrowed their eyes, Drift stared at him with her mouth thin. Suspicion, it was unfamiliar to see it in their eyes after so long.
Scott inwardly sighed, shoving down the painful ache in his chest screaming at him that everything he was currently doing was wrong.
It was all for the best.
Everything is on the line.